South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) Announces 2011-2012 Season Jazz Concert Line-Up
SOPAC Launches the New Jazz + Blues "In The Loft" Series
14^th Annual Giants in Jazz Benefit Honoring Albert "Tootie" Heath
A Freddy Cole Holiday
and more…

The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) announces its prospective schedule for the upcoming 2011-12 season. From Broadway legends Ben Vereen and Tom Wopat to SOPAC's own resident theatre company Midtown Direct Rep, the season promises a plethora of theatrical events. Also on the roster this year are several jazz concerts including the U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors and the Jazz Knights of West Point. As always, SOPAC continues to bring today's top performers in the fields of classical music, dance, and family programming.

This year marks the launch of SOPAC's "IN THE LOFT" Series – eight jazz/blues concerts set in an informal, club café atmosphere in the upstairs Loft. "With the advent of IN THE LOFT, SOPAC is offering a casual, affordable and fun concert series that helps demystify both jazz and blues music," explains Michael Bollinger, SOPAC's Executive and Artistic Director.

For the complete 2011-12 calendar, see below or visit http://www.SOPACnow.org.

2011-12 SEASON: SEPTEMBER 2011 – MAY 2012
South Orange Performing Arts Center is located at One SOPAC Way, South Orange, NJ, 07079. All artists and prices are subject to change at the time of this release. For more details on the upcoming season, including a complete schedule and ticket information, visit SOPACnow.org, or contact the SOPAC Box Office at 973.313.2787 (ARTS)


JAZZ in SEPTEMBER

SAT 9/17 @ 5PM– BLUES IN THE LOFT: South Orange International Blues Festival Kick-Off
Tickets: $15

Curated by the South Orange International Blues Festival.
As part of SOPAC's new "IN THE LOFT" Series – jazz/blue concerts in a casual, club café atmosphere in SOPAC's upstairs loft space. Cash bar. No drink minimum.

JAZZ in OCTOBER

SAT 10/1 @ 9PM – GIANTS OF JAZZ honoring 2011 JAZZ MASTER ALBERT "TOOTIE" HEATH
Tickets: $50

Presented by SOPAC, Village of South Orange, and The Baird
Produced by John Lee & Jazz Legacy Productions

SOPAC is thrilled to welcome what the Star Ledger has described "…easily one of the top jazz shows of the year...anywhere." The 14^th Annual Giants of Jazz benefit concert honors legendary drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath with performances by guest artists including, but not limited to: Billy Hart, Bob Cranshaw, Claudio Roditti, Yotam, Michael Dease, Sharel Cassity, Roy Hargrove and Winard Harper. "Tootie", the youngest of the famed Heath brothers, has worked and recorded with John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, JJ Johnson, Dexter Gordon and Cedar Walton as well as putting the beat in the Heath Brothers.

SAT 10/15 @ 8pm – U.S. ARMY JAZZ AMBASSADORS
Tickets: FREE

As the premier touring big band for the United States Army, the Jazz Ambassadors travels thousands of miles each year throughout the nation and abroad, keeping the will of the American people behind the members of the armed forces and supporting diplomatic efforts around the world. The Jazz Ambassadors presents a diverse program of big band swing, Latin music, contemporary jazz, popular tunes, standards, Dixieland, and patriotic selections. Members of the Jazz Ambassadors are selected by highly competitive audition and represent some of the finest musical talent in America. More than three decades of touring have earned them the title, "The Musical Ambassadors of the Army."

TUE 10/25 @ 7:30PM – JAZZ ACCORDIONIST EDDIE MONTEIRO
Tickets: $25. Seniors/Seton Hall Alumni $15. Seton Hall Students & Staff (with ID) $8.

Jazz' n the Hall Presented by Seton Hall Arts Council
Eddie Monteiro has over 30 years of musical performance in classical, jazz, dance, theater, cabaret and choral ensembles. A lead artist of innumerable society bands performing throughout the world at social events, political gatherings and corporation conventions, Eddie is also the youngest honoree elected to American Accordionists' Association Hall of Fame, November 1994.

JAZZ in NOVEMBER

SUN 11/6 @ 5PM – BLUES IN THE LOFT
Tickets: $15

Curated by the South Orange International Blues Festival.
As part of SOPAC's new "IN THE LOFT" Series – jazz/blue concerts in a casual, club café atmosphere in SOPAC's upstairs loft space. Cash bar. No drink minimum.

TUE 11/8 @ 7:30PM – VINCE GIORDANO and the NIGHTHAWKS JAZZ ORCHESTRA
Tickets: $25. Seniors/Seton Hall Alumni $15. Seton Hall Students & Staff (with ID) $8.

Jazz' n the Hall Presented by Seton Hall Arts Council
Musician, arranger, and leader of his New York-based orchestra, the Nighthawks, Vince Giordano specializes in the vintage jazz styles of the 1920s and early 1930s. He and his Nighthawks are widely renowned for having contributed to a number of popular film scores.

JAZZ in DECEMBER

FRI 12/16 @ 8PM – A FREDDY COLE HOLIDAY
Tickets: $35, $45

SUN 12/18 @ 3PM – SWINGIN' HOLIDAYS w/ the JUILLIARD JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Juilliard @ SOPAC
Tickets: $20. Seniors and SOPAC Members $15.

JAZZ in JANUARY

SUN 1/22 @ 5PM – BLUES IN THE LOFT
Tickets: $15

Curated by the South Orange International Blues Festival.
As part of SOPAC's new "IN THE LOFT" Series – jazz/blue concerts in a casual, club café atmosphere in SOPAC's upstairs loft space. Cash bar. No drink minimum.

JAZZ in FEBRUARY

FRI 2/10 @ 8PM – JANE MONHEIT
Tickets: $45, $35

SUN 2/12 @ 5PM – JAZZ IN THE LOFT
Tickets: $15

Curated by the Giants of Jazz.
As part of SOPAC's new "IN THE LOFT" Series – jazz/blue concerts in a casual, club café atmosphere in SOPAC's upstairs loft space. Cash bar. No drink minimum.

JAZZ in MARCH

SUN 3/4 @ 5PM – JAZZ IN THE LOFT
Tickets: $15

Curated by the Giants of Jazz.
As part of SOPAC's new "IN THE LOFT" Series – jazz/blue concerts in a casual, club café atmosphere in SOPAC's upstairs loft space. Cash bar. No drink minimum.

SAT 3/24 @ 8PM – KYLE EASTWOOD
Tickets: $40, $30

SUN 3/25 @ 5PM – BLUES IN THE LOFT
Tickets: $15

Curated by the South Orange International Blues Festival.
As part of SOPAC's new "IN THE LOFT" Series – jazz/blue concerts in a casual, club café atmosphere in SOPAC's upstairs loft space. Cash bar. No drink minimum.

TUE 3/27 @ 7:30PM – JAZZ KNIGHTS OF WEST POINT
Tickets: FREE

Jazz' n the Hall Presented by Seton Hall Arts Council
Bringing over three decades of musical excellence to their audiences, the West Point Band's Jazz Knights present the best in big band favorites, popular music, and original compositions and arrangements for jazz ensemble. Past and present members of the band have played with such icons as Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson, Ahmad Jamal, Chaka Kahn, Prince, Billy Cobham, and the Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller Orchestras.

JAZZ in APRIL
SUN 4/1 @ 5PM – JAZZ IN THE LOFT
Tickets: $15

Curated by the Giants of Jazz.
As part of SOPAC's new "IN THE LOFT" Series – jazz/blue concerts in a casual, club café atmosphere in SOPAC's upstairs loft space. Cash bar. No drink minimum.

SUN 4/29 @ 5PM – BLUES IN THE LOFT
Tickets: $15

Curated by the South Orange International Blues Festival.
As part of SOPAC's new "IN THE LOFT" Series – jazz/blue concerts in a casual, club café atmosphere in SOPAC's upstairs loft space. Cash bar. No drink minimum.

JAZZ in MAY

TUE 5/1 @ 7:30PM – SETON HALL UNIVERSITY FACULTY JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Tickets: FREE

Jazz' n the Hall Presented by Seton Hall Arts Council
Ever growing in popularity since its debut two years ago at SOPAC, the Seton Hall University Faculty Jazz Ensemble has become widely known by the University students and general public for its exciting performances of great historic jazz music of every style.


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Press Contact: April Thibeault │ SOPAC

About SOPAC
Since 2006, SOPAC has been serving as a premier performing arts center in the region. SOPAC offers innovative artistic and cultural experiences for diverse audiences in an intimate, inviting environment. The multidisciplinary arts center hosts a variety of live performances, community events and education programs for all ages. To further expand its offerings, SOPAC has a partnership with the Juilliard School of Music to present Juilliard @ SOPAC—a series featuring upcoming musicians from the acclaimed conservatory. SOPAC is also a home for Seton Hall University Arts Council's performances, including Classical Concert Series, Jazz N' the Hall performances and Seton Hall Theatre productions. SOPAC also presents performances by its theater company in residence, Midtown Direct Rep, and its dance company in residence, Lydia Johnson Dance. For more information, visit SOPACnow.org.

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april thibeault │amt public relations
www.amtpublicrelations.com
*NYU Stern MBA Candidate*